Page 13 of Gone Away Home

Jasper’s laugh fills the range’s shop. “Fuck, yes.” He holds his hand out to me, and I shake it. “You’re hired.”

Just like that I’ve reconnected with an old friend, one who doesn’t seem to hold it against me how I just up and left, and a job. My plan to reintegrate into life in Jasper Ridge is happening just how I planned. I’m sure shit will go sideways at some point. I’m going to make sure Zayla, and I are solid before it happens.

Nothing is tearing us apart.

CHAPTER 6

ZAYLA

This book has me held in place with my ass firmly planted in my chair. When I get to edit books like this, it’s a double-edged sword. I’m damn proud to be included in the process and excited about what is about to happen for this author. As long as they can find their reader, it’s going to be a success.

I can just feel it.

The other side of things is it makes me worry about my own skill. That file is still sitting there, staring at me with all the accusations of deferred dreams. It’s scary to think there’s no way I can produce something as good as the authors I edit for.

Shouldn’t I be more confident?

Yeah, I know all about imposter syndrome and how pretty much everyone is a victim at one time or another. But is being paralyzed by it normal?

My mind wanders to Dustin and something stirs in my mind. Inspiration? Maybe. He’s certainly given me plenty of mind-numbing orgasms in a very short period of time. I’ll be able towrite about those at the very least.

Hopefully, the rest of the story will flow. I do feel lighter than I have in a long time. I’m not about to lie to myself either; it’s all because of him.

Was it only days ago that I was feeling stuck in my life and like something was missing? Then Dustin swept back into town and said things I had wished on shooting stars to hear. The best part? I knew he was being honest about everything.

He wants me, and not just for a little while. He’s looking at the future and making plans for us to be together for the rest of our lives.

I’m excited about finding out what happened at the range and whether he was able to get a job there. Knowing Jasper, I’m sure Dustin was hired on the spot. I chuckle to myself and shake my head as I push my arms up over my head and stretch.

My hands drop and I let out a groan as I realize I probably should have mentioned how Mr. Porter retired from running Precision Point Shooting Range and it’s now in Jasper’s hands. They were friends in high school and it’s information he would have definitely wanted.

I just didn’t think about it because I was focused on trying to get a little bit of space to myself. Not only am I on a deadline to get these edits back to the author but having Dustin pop into my life out of nowhere has been kind of overwhelming. He’s been right there, in my face, which is much better than him being halfway across the world, without a doubt, but it has felt like I’m not standing on solid ground.

I’m the kind of person who needs to be able to process and one of the best ways for me to do it is to focus on something else and let everything percolate in the back of my mind.

That doesn’t mean I would change anything that’s happened with Dustin. I wouldn’t. It’s a dream come true and even better in reality than the fantasies I’ve allowed myself over the years.

The only thing I’m worried about is how our parents are going to react. I can’t imagine it’ll be good, and the thought makes me feel nauseous. As I reach out and grip the edge of my desk, I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths to get my body under control. Now is not the time to throw up and it certainly isn’t the time to regret anything that’s happened.

It’s not like I could anyway.

I’ve been in love with Dustin for a long time and now I have him. He’s back in Jasper Ridge. He’s looking at me like I’m his everything.

“You look a little green, sweetheart. What’s wrong?”

Dustin’s voice makes me scream and levitate over my chair. My eyes snap open as I press my hand to my chest. I’m sure my eyes are wide and wild as I take him in. He’s leaning against the doorframe with a smirk on his face.

“Dustin,” I hiss admonishingly, “you scared the hell out of me. You can’t just sneak up on me like that.”

“Sneak?” The smirk on his face turns downright wicked as he pushes himself off the door jamb and starts to close the distance between us. “I was standing there and watching you for a few minutes, Zayla. You were lost in your own little world.” When he gets to me, he crouches down in front of me and smooths out the worry lines between my eyebrows. His eyes are soft as he looks at me, but they’re also worried. “Are you regretting,” he motions between us, vulnerability coating his words, “this?”

My hands cup his jaw, and I feel the stubble from his five o’clock shadow under my fingertips. I love the way it feels. It’s even better when I feel it between my thighs. “I don’t regret us, Dustin,” I tell him honestly.

His shoulders sag and he presses his forehead against my chest. I cradle him there, my fingers running through the short length of his blonde hair. The way he hums, a sound of pure fucking contentment, has me melting for this man.

He already knows I’m worried about our parents. I don’t need to voice it again. I’m fairly sure I know what he’d say anyway. I almost giggle as I picture him puffing up his chest and telling me how he’ll fight anyone who tries to get in our way, including our parents.

Hopefully, it won’t come to that, but it’s nice to know he’ll have my back no matter what. At least, he thinks he will. I’m not sure whether he’ll let me down or not, but only time will tell.

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